Sustainable Practices in the Outdoors!

Why did you choose Outdoor Education?

What is the appeal of Outdoor Education?

How can we make it so others can experience what we are experiencing right
now?

When we visit outdoor environments, we do so for the beauty of nature, the

rocks, shells, plants, feathers, fossils, artefacts and wonders. They belong to
everyone. Leave them for the next person to enjoy as much as you are. Respect
indigenous artefacts if found and don’t touch or move them.
‘The earth, like the sun, like the air, belongs to everyone – and to no one.’ –
Edward Abbey
Stick to marked paths. One person going off track unnecessarily encourages
others to follow, damaging wildlife. Stay to the middle of the path, even when its
muddy, as it will help not broaden the dirt path and damaging the bush further.

Take pictures and leave memories. Take any rubbish with you that you have
brought or find! ‘Pack it in, pack it out!’

Take care in lighting fires, as many wildfires are started by enthusiastic by

uneducated campers. Creates an unsightly scene at a campsite, with sites often
expanding with campers using what wood is available around the site. Also, at
times the wood is an animal’s home! Respect wildlife. They respond to people
differently, avoid leaving food or rubbish around to avoid attracting them, or
avoid scaring them off by being loud and obtrusive, as they may flee their homes
and young.

Use cat holes for human waste, also at least 60m away from waterways! Keep all
chemicals like soap, away from waterways.

Plan ahead and have safety in mind. By being organised and safe, you will be more
likely to continually focus on your impact on the environment. Having the correct
gear will also prevent you from cutting down branches or other plants for shelter
if you think justified. Plan meals that don’t generate messy and smelly rubbish.
Always takes leftovers and food waste to avoid attracting animals.
‘Good planning is living the experience in advance’ – Sir Edmund Hillary

Use only established campsites. Camp on durable surfaces or already made

campsites. Surfaces such as rock outcrops, sand, gravel, dry grasses, snow and
water. Avoid surfaces such as soft plants, muddy sites and fragile soil layers.

Outdoor etiquette. Share the wilderness with traditional owners and other
campers. Respect the quiet, the peace and comfort of the bush.
References:
Government of South Australia. (2006). Bushwalking Minimum Impact Code.
Available at:
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/parks/wilderness_mini
umumimpactcode.pdf . (Accessed: 24 Sep. 2019)

Bushwalking WA. (2019). Minimum impact / Tread softly - Bushwalking WA,

Western Australia. [online] Available at:
https://www.bushwalkingwa.org.au/taking-care/minimum-impact-tread-softly/
[Accessed 23 Sep. 2019].

QORF. (2019). Sustainable Recreation - QORF. [online] Available at:

https://qorf.org.au/resources/fact-sheets-master/caring-for-the-outdoors/
[Accessed 23 Sep. 2019].